By – Prakarsh Kastwar
The venue for next year’s Champions Trophy competition is yet to be determined. The Pakistan Cricket Board is the event’s official host, but the BCCI’s decision not to send Team India to Pakistan has caused problems for the PCB. Although the BCCI has not issued a formal statement, it has stated unequivocally that any decision made by the Indian government will be accepted. Pakistan, on the other side, is currently repairing its stadium in preparation for the Champions Trophy. In the draft schedule supplied by the PCB to the ICC, Lahore was handed the hosting rights for all Indian matches. A startling revelation has emerged, indicating that if Team India advances to the final, the title match will not be held in Pakistan.
Due to political issues, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series in almost a decade, and the two teams only compete in ICC or ACC competitions. Pakistan toured India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, but India has yet to announce its plans for the Champions Trophy. The tournament’s final has been confirmed to take place in Lahore. According to the Telegraph, if the Indian cricket team qualifies for the Champions Trophy final in 2025, the event could be moved to Dubai.
According to the source, if India does not travel to Pakistan, it may play all of its matches in the United Arab Emirates. However, in recent weeks, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed confidence that the competition will be conducted solely in Pakistan. Earlier, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed optimism that the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy would be hosted effectively in Pakistan, with all competing teams, including India, traveling to the country.
The Champions Trophy event is expected to be held in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi from February 19 to March 9. Naqvi stated that preparations for the event are progressing as planned, and stadium upgrades are already underway. In Lahore, Naqvi also spoke about the uncertainties surrounding India’s engagement. India has not visited Pakistan since July 2008 because to political difficulties between the two countries. However, Naqvi is optimistic about India’s participation in the event.
He added, “The Indian team should come.” I do not see them cancelling or postponing their visit, and we are optimistic that we will welcome all of the Champions Trophy teams in Pakistan. He confirmed that the stadiums will be ready on schedule and that any remaining renovations would be finished before the tournament. Naqvi stated, “In a way, you could say that we are going to have a new stadium.”